The Implementation Strategy for the Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan 2019-2038 was unanimously adopted by City Council on October 29, 2019, with amendments. We encourage you to sign up for our email updates in the Get Involved in Your Community section to receive information on the plan’s progress.

The Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan (2019 – 2038) is a 20-year plan to build and renew facilities in order to meet recreation needs in a changing Toronto. It was adopted by City Council on November 9, 2017. The Implementation Strategy was adopted by City Council on October 29, 2019, with amendments.

The City of Toronto operates over 1,500 parks, 136 community centres, 40 arenas with 48 ice pads, 52 outdoor artificial ice rinks with 65 ice pads, and 65 indoor and 57 outdoor swimming pools. The Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan will identify gaps and develop strategic investment priorities by facility type based on a principle of equitable distribution across the city.

In addition to a focus on identifying and addressing barriers to access for diverse groups and communities, the plan will consider:

  • the geographic distribution of facilities across the city
  • levels of use at existing facilities
  • demographic information
  • recreation trends
  • other recreation service providers

The directions in the Facilities Master Plan will influence future City of Toronto Capital and Operating budgets and be approved by City Council.

History

2004

Our Common Grounds

Toronto Parks and Recreation Strategic Plan was approved by City Council. This 15-year plan emphasizes the strategic goals of environmental stewardship, child and youth development and lifelong active living. This plan includes recommendations for facility planning.

Recreation Facilities Report

The Recreation Facilities Report was approved by City Council. This report outlines directions for planning and provision of the City’s recreation facilities over a five to ten year period.

2012

The Recreation Service Plan was approved by City Council. This five-year plan aims to increase participation in recreation, decrease financial barriers, and improve local and geographic access to recreation and directs Parks, Forestry and Recreation to develop a 20-year facilities plan.

2013

The Parks Plan was approved by City Council. This five-year plan sets out four areas of priority: communicate and connect with users, preserve and promote nature, maintain quality parks, and strengthen system planning, and directs Parks, Forestry and Recreation to develop a 20-year facilities plan.

2015

The Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan project launched and was scheduled for completion in 2017. A staff report providing an update on the Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan was approved by Council’s Executive Committee on October 20, 2015.

2016

The Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan was under development and on track for completion in 2017. A staff report providing a progress update and interim consultation report for the plan was approved by Toronto City Council on October 5, 2016.

Most types of parks and recreation facilities are covered by this plan. Facilities such as golf courses and playgrounds were not included because they have been addressed through other planning initiatives. Smaller amenities, like ping pong tables, were also not included.

Community Centres

Community centres provide space for programming and community use. They range from small to large, and each offers a different combination of program rooms that may be combined with weight rooms, youth spaces, gymnasiums, indoor pools or other amenities.

Fitness facilities

There are over 40 fitness facilities with multiple use options available to residents. These facilities are typically located within community centres and usually feature a weight room and equipment room. Membership may include access to other amenities such as gymnasiums, indoor pools or program rooms.

Indoor playground

Playground Paradise is a two-story play structure inside Flemingdon Community Centre. It is open to children up to age 12 on a drop-in basis and is available for party bookings.

Walking tracks

More than ten multi-lane tracks are available at community centres across the city. Designed for walking or running, these indoor tracks typically have a rubberized surface and are often located above gymnasiums. They are available on a drop-in basis and used for programs such as walking clubs.

Indoor and outdoor pools

There are over 60 indoor pools across the City of Toronto with varying aquatic features and design. Indoor pools are open year-round for drop-in use, programming and permitted use. Outdoor pools are open in summer and most are located in parks.

Outdoor skating rinks, arenas and curling rinks

The City owns and operates 40 indoor arenas, 52 outdoor artificial ice rinks and four skating trails. The City also owns nine arenas that are operated by Boards of Management. There are three City curling facilities which are mainly used by club, permit and rental groups. City staff are in the process of developing a Curling Strategy.

Wading pools and splash pads

Wading pools are supervised, shallow water play areas for children. Splash pads are unsupervised water play areas with showerheads, spray jets and other features. The City operates more than 100 wading pools and 90 splash pads in parks and playgrounds.

Sports fields

Over 670 sports fields are located in City parks. For permitting purposes, they are classified as Premier, A, B or C based on field characteristics and quality. Approximately 64,000 sports field permits are issued annually for sports such as soccer, baseball, cricket, football, rugby, lacrosse and ultimate frisbee.

Tennis Courts

There are 180 City outdoor tennis court locations, mostly in parks. Approximately two-thirds are public courts that are free and available to the public at all times. Approximately one third are permitted by community tennis clubs. Outdoor tennis court locations are open from April to October.

Outdoor basketball courts

There are approximately 130 outdoor basketball courts across the City. Most are located in parks. The park locator map displays locations with basketball courts. Basketball courts are generally used on a first come first served basis when not permitted or being used for programming.

Bocce courts

There are over 100 bocce courts in City parks, with a small number of indoor courts also available. Outdoor courts are used on a first come first served basis, and may occasionally be permitted by groups. Indoor courts are available for drop-in use, permitting or operate on a membership basis.

Lawn bowling greens

Lawn bowling facilities consist of one or more lawn bowling greens and may include a clubhouse. Lawn bowling greens are finely-laid, close-mown and rolled stretches of turf. There are currently 13 lawn bowling clubs operating out of City of Toronto lawn bowling facilities.

Dog off-leash areas

Dog off-leash areas within parks provide a place for dogs to exercise and socialize. They range in size and design, with all new areas containing fenced boundaries. There are over 60 designated dog off-leash locations across the City.

Bike parks

There are four City of Toronto off-road cycling facilities where riders with various skills and experience can do off-road cycling and build skills. Bike parks offer a variety of progressive and technically challenging features such as dirt jumps, ramps and pumptracks.

Skateparks

There are 13 skatepark sites across the city, including some seasonal and indoor locations. City skateparks feature key elements that reflect different styles of skateboarding – street skateboarding, riding bowls and transition, freestyle, longboarding and downhill.

Consultation for the Facilities Master Plan included two main phases. Phase 1 was focused on understanding facility needs and establishing principles to help inform needs assessment and draft strategic directions for the plan. In Phase 2 we tested and refined the draft directions for the plan, and gathered information on facility improvements.

Input was provided by over 5,500 residents and stakeholders. Review the consultation summaries provided below to learn more about what we heard.

Phase One: December 2015 to June 2016

Phase Two: November to December 2016

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